Alan M L Jones - English teaching for lawyers

	My lessons are very student–centred and interactive and consist mostly of the student using English in the areas of language and / or law on which he wants to work. I facilitate this by providing authentic materials which will provide the student with the words and phrases he needs and the context in which they should be used. For example, to learn the basic language of company law, we will go through the steps required to set up a company using the relevant forms and specimen documentation. For litigation, we look at a Claim Form and Defence / Counterclaim. To discuss contract law, we'll look at a Terms Sheet and then a contract. In addition, I have “Gap fill” exercises which introduce the student to specialist vocabulary in various areas of law as well as exposing them to examples of good legal writing. Another approach is to use materials which the student has produced in the course of his work. We look at these, discuss subtleties of meaning, look at alternatives and if necessary amend. This method is particularly beneficial when the student has some fairly standard letter(s) of advice or slides for a presentation he has to give often. In addition to the benefit of discussing the piece of work which in itself is a very good exercise, the student ends up with a “master” copy of the advice which he can use / adapt for the rest of his career. Further, I haven't had to guess as to what might be relevant to the student in his work-the student has produced a real life example. What could be more relevant? I have audio tapes of interviews with experienced lawyers and video tapes of lectures at a leading law firm – these are useful for comprehension exercises and as examples of contemporary usage. I provide detailed feedback / error correction both “on the spot” and in writing. I supplement the feedback with papers I have produced which revise all the important vocabulary for a particular subject. The lessons are not just about language – the student will also learn a certain amount about the English legal system such as how lawyers operate and the basics of company, contract and banking law. I also encourage students to become their own teachers and advise them how to do this.

My lessons are very student–centred and interactive and consist mostly of the student using English in the areas of language and / or law on which he wants to work.

I facilitate this by providing authentic materials which will provide the student with the words and phrases he needs and the context in which they should be used. For example, to learn the basic language of company law, we will go through the steps required to set up a company using the relevant forms and specimen documentation. For litigation, we look at a Claim Form and Defence / Counterclaim. To discuss contract law, we'll look at a Terms Sheet and then a contract.

In addition, I have “Gap fill” exercises which introduce the student to specialist vocabulary in various areas of law as well as exposing them to examples of good legal writing.

Another approach is to use materials which the student has produced in the course of his work. We look at these, discuss subtleties of meaning, look at alternatives and if necessary amend. This method is particularly beneficial when the student has some fairly standard letter(s) of advice or slides for a presentation he has to give often. In addition to the benefit of discussing the piece of work which in itself is a very good exercise, the student ends up with a “master” copy of the advice which he can use / adapt for the rest of his career. Further, I haven't had to guess as to what might be relevant to the student in his work-the student has produced a real life example. What could be more relevant?

I have audio tapes of interviews with experienced lawyers and video tapes of lectures at a leading law firm – these are useful for comprehension exercises and as examples of contemporary usage.

I provide detailed feedback / error correction both “on the spot” and in writing. I supplement the feedback with papers I have produced which revise all the important vocabulary for a particular subject. The lessons are not just about language – the student will also learn a certain amount about the English legal system such as how lawyers operate and the basics of company, contract and banking law. I also encourage students to become their own teachers and advise them how to do this.